New Owner - Pacing Outdoors Problem

[chemlabrat]

Thanks everyone for all of your constructive comments. We brought her in when we got home yesterday with the cats in the bathroom and plan to make a slow introduction. She did really well being inside with us for the afternoon, but was again pacing this morning when I left to go to work. I know it will take time and more socialization. But I am taking your advice.

Originally Posted by doggiedad

you say you know about dog care but you allow your dog
to wonder a 1/2 mile away, umm. you know about dog care
but you don't have time to train and socialize, umm.

I realize this sounds bad at the surface, but I think it was the best we could do at the time. We took her in unprepared to contain and care for, but only did so because we didn't want to see a young GSD put down by the shelter. That shelter is what I would call a medium kill shelter. They were full at the time, and strays get a 2 week stay there before being put down and owner surrenders (like this GSD) are walked from the front door to the gas chamber according to the workers there. We are on a limited budget and the first extra $300 we had went toward a containment system. The next $300 we saved up went toward a heated/insulated large house for her. So I really do feel like despite being able to give her ideal care, she was better off with us than without us.

[Liesje]

Thanks for trying, let us know how it goes. I think a lot of folks here have experience introducing dogs to cats.

[Carriesue]

Omg a gas chamber, that is a horrific death... I forgot to say this before but bless you for saving her!

[chemlabrat]

You're welcome! And yes, that shelter is pretty bad. They use a gas chamber instead of shots because they said it was cheaper. One of the workers who had their elderly dog put down paid extra for the shot, but the average dog gets gas. This shelter made national news last year because a dog actually survived the gas chamber. A worker came back to get the body after the timer went off and the dog was still alive, but barely. Rather than put it back in, the worker took it to the vet and it was adopted after the story made the news. During the summer last year, they had days when 50+ dogs and cats were brought in after the shelter was at full capacity and had to be put down or ones in the shelter put down to make room.

Originally Posted by Carriesue

Omg a gas chamber, that is a horrific death... I forgot to say this before but bless you for saving her!

[Carriesue]

Originally Posted by chemlabrat

You're welcome! And yes, that shelter is pretty bad. They use a gas chamber instead of shots because they said it was cheaper. One of the workers who had their elderly dog put down paid extra for the shot, but the average dog gets gas. This shelter made national news last year because a dog actually survived the gas chamber. A worker came back to get the body after the timer went off and the dog was still alive, but barely. Rather than put it back in, the worker took it to the vet and it was adopted after the story made the news. During the summer last year, they had days when 50+ dogs and cats were brought in after the shelter was at full capacity and had to be put down or ones in the shelter put down to make room.

I have seen the process of the gas chamber it is absolutely horrific and something that will be burned in my mind for the rest of my life. At least that one pup was saved, did you here about that shelter just burning dogs alive who survived it? Just makes me sick to my stomach. It's illegal here but instead they can sell pets to laboratories, not sure that's a real gain.

[kiya]

I have 3 dogs & 2 cats in a very small house. Sometimes it takes longer than we would like for everyone to coexist, but have patience and it will happen. Good luck.

[LoveEcho]

Sounds like you guys are on the right track I know many, many GSD owners who have cats and dogs peacefully coexisting... and many, many more who have cats and dogs that are deeply bonded. You never know, they might end up being great friends!